By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The Ombudsman-Visayas suspended another punong barangay in President Roxas, Capiz.
Punong Barangay Jeffrey Dela Cruz of Poblacion confirmed receiving the Ombudsman decision suspending him for one-month for withdrawing Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) funds of their village sans the knowledge of the committee on appropriations in 2018.
Dela Cruz’s suspension came on the heels of the 6-month suspension of seven village officials of Brgy. Cabugcabug, President Roxas.
Dela Cruz admitted to withdrawing the SK funds, but he denied using the money for personal purposes.
He said that his only mistake was the delay in returning the money.
“I’m willing to face the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman against me,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Roxas Mayor Receliste ‘Tanoy’ Escolin, said he was alarmed by the series of suspension orders from the Ombudsman against village officials in their town.
Escolin said three more village chiefs in the town were under investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) because of alleged corruption.
The mayor did not name them.
“As an elected public official, we should be reminded that we are answerable to corruption we have committed, if there is”, he said.
Escolin said that he will personally serve the suspension order against Brgy. Kapitan Alfonso Golero of Cabugcabug, kagawads Ma. Leonora Canindo Mejica, Jose Buco Jr., Thelma Antonio, Francis Beluso, Joely Canindo and Barangay Secretary Joenard Buco.
Under the Local Government Code, the chief executive mayor has the authority to suspend barangay officials found guilty by appropriate agencies like the Ombudsman.
The seven Cabugcabug officials were found guilty of grave misconduct for faking the documents regarding the use of funds of the Department of Labor and Employment Livelihood Emergency Employment Program (DOLE-LEEP) in the amount of P718,605.
